Proper medical billing is crucial for providers to continue offering care to their patients because it directly impacts their revenue cycle. Submitting claims correctly to the appropriate payer is vital because it ensures providers receive timely payments without facing issues such as bad debts. While every payer has slightly different requirements for claim submissions, they generally follow similar guidelines.
However, common medical billing pitfalls can sometimes hinder proper claim submission, leading to negative effects on the provider’s revenue cycle. In this blog, we will delve into common pitfalls associated with Medicare billing and provide strategies to avoid them, thus preventing delayed payments, denials, and potential legal issues.
1) Inaccurate Patient Information
In Medicare billing, accurate patient information acts as the foundation upon which the entire process rests. Inaccurate or incomplete information is the single biggest pitfall, often triggering a domino effect of other issues:
- Claim Denials: Insurance companies may reject claims with erroneous patient details, causing delays in receiving reimbursements.
- Payment Delays: Even if claims aren’t entirely denied, incorrect information can lead to extended processing times and postponed payments.
- Potential Fines: In severe cases, repeated instances of inaccurate information can result in penalties imposed by regulatory bodies.
These pitfalls primarily stem from mistakes made during data entry by providers or their staff. Here are frequent occurrences to watch out for:
- Patient Demographics: Errors in basic details like name, date of birth, gender, or address.
- Coding Errors: Incorrect medical or procedural codes used for diagnoses and services rendered.
- Insurance Information: Mistakes in insurance policy numbers, coverage details, or even the wrong insurance company being billed.
How to Avoid Pitfalls of Improper and Inaccurate Patient Information:
To ensure accurate patient information and avoid the pitfalls created by improper and inaccurate patient information, healthcare providers can implement several measures, including:
- Double-checking: They can train their staff to carefully verify all patient information during intake and before claim submission so that if there is inconsistency, they can find the issue and fix it before submission.
- Standardization: Develop a standardized process for collecting and recording patient data to minimize the chance of errors or missing any important patient information necessary for successful Medicare claim submission.
- Technology Solutions: Consider using electronic health records (EHR) systems that can help maintain accurate and up-to-date patient information.
By prioritizing accurate patient information, healthcare providers can streamline the billing process, prevent claim denials and delays, and safeguard their practice from potential financial repercussions.
2) Improper Coding
While the coding process may seem simple, it is actually complex, and most of the time, coding is the cause of issues in Medicare billing. This is because there is not just one code that the billing team has to know; there are multiple codes for different things such as:
- ICD-10-CM Codes: Used to classify and report diagnoses in healthcare settings.
- CPT Codes: Maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA) to report medical procedures and services.
- HCPCS Codes: Utilized for reporting supplies, equipment, and services not covered by CPT codes.
- Modifiers: Two-digit codes appended to CPT or HCPCS codes to provide additional information about the service or procedure performed.
- Revenue Codes: Used to classify specific types of services or items provided in a healthcare facility.
- Place of Service (POS) Codes: Indicate the location where a healthcare service was provided.
Wrong codes during Medicare billing occur due to multiple reasons:
- Knowledge Gap: The medical coders or the medical billing team may lack a complete understanding of complex coding guidelines or the latest updated codes.
- Incomplete Documentation: Inaccurate or missing information in the medical records of the patient can also result in improper code selection.
- Lack of Automation and Digital Tools: Relying mostly on humans and less on software can also cause coding errors, as humans are more prone to making typos or data entry mistakes, which can lead to erroneous codes.
How to Avoid Pitfalls of Improper Coding:
Achieving accurate coding in Medicare billing requires a two-pronged approach: ensuring up-to-date knowledge and streamlining the coding process.
- Equipping Your Team:
- Regular Training: Invest in ongoing training for your billing and coding team. This ensures they possess a thorough understanding of the latest Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) ICD-10-CM and other codes and grasp the nuances of their application.
- Staying Current: Facilitate access to resources like reference manuals and online updates. Encourage the team to actively stay informed about any modifications to coding guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Optimizing the Workflow:
- Standardized Documentation: Implement a standardized documentation process. This ensures all relevant patient information, including diagnoses, procedures, and treatment details, are consistently and meticulously captured in medical records. Clear documentation serves as a reliable foundation for accurate code selection during claim submission.
- Leveraging Technology: Consider incorporating advanced medical billing software. These tools often utilize machine learning capabilities to:
- Flag Inconsistencies: Warn of potential coding errors during claim entry.
- Suggest Appropriate Codes: Recommend the most suitable codes based on the information provided.
- Provide Real-time Updates: Deliver automatic notifications regarding any changes in coding practices or code sets.
By combining continuous knowledge acquisition with a tech-aided workflow, you can significantly minimize the occurrence of coding errors in your Medicare billing. This not only expedites claim processing but also safeguards your practice from potential penalties associated with inaccurate coding.
3) Proper Documentation of the Service Provided
Providers do not only charge for treatments; they may bill for various aspects of patient care, including diagnosis, treatment, and procedures performed. Because payment often comes from Medicare, providers must furnish thorough documentation of all services rendered to the patient. This documentation is vital for accurately determining the services to be billed. Detailed documentation is sometimes mandatory to receive payment for rendered services. Failure to provide proper documentation can result in Medicare billing pitfalls and issues.
These pitfalls may include claim denials, delayed payments, or even audits by Medicare or other payers. Without clear and comprehensive documentation, it becomes challenging to justify the services billed, leading to a potential loss of revenue for the provider. Additionally, incomplete or inaccurate documentation can raise red flags for Medicare auditors, increasing the likelihood of audits and scrutiny of the provider’s billing practices.
Example of proper medical documentation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Patient Name: John Lesnar
Date of Service: March 15, 2024,
Chief Complaint:
Pain and swelling in the right hand after a fall.
History of Present Illness:
Mr. Lesnar reports falling while playing sports yesterday and landing on his outstretched hand. He experienced immediate pain and swelling in the right hand.
Physical Examination:
- Inspection: Swelling noted over the dorsum of the right hand. Ecchymosis present around the metacarpals.
- Palpation: Tenderness to palpation over the fifth metacarpal. No obvious deformities.
- Range of Motion: Limited due to pain.
Assessment:
- Acute closed fracture of the fifth metacarpal (boxer’s fracture).
Plan:
- X-ray of the right hand to confirm the diagnosis.
- Splinting and immobilization of the hand with a plaster cast.
- Prescribe pain medication (ibuprofen 400 mg, as needed).
- Educate the patient on activity restrictions and elevation of the hand.
- Follow-up appointment in two weeks for cast removal and reassessment.
Procedure Documentation:
- Applied long arm splint to the right hand for immobilization (CPT code: 29075).
- Provided patient education on cast care and activity limitations.
- Prescribed ibuprofen 400 mg for pain management.
- Disposition: Discharged home with instructions to follow up in two weeks.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
So, this example covers all the details about the patient, the services provided by the provider and their team, enabling the provider to submit the claim correctly without errors. This documentation can be even more detailed than the example mentioned above. When documentation is not done properly, it causes pitfalls in Medicare billing.
Example of inadequate medical documentation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Patient Name: John Lesnar
Date of Service: 03/10/2024
Diagnosis: Fractured Hand
Treatment: Applied Plaster
Comments: Patient was treated for a hand injury.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Since the information in the above example is not sufficient, it can cause issues during claim submission.
How to Avoid Pitfalls of Inadequate Documentation:
To avoid inadequate documentation, all they have to do is record everything in detail. This can be achieved by following the steps below:
Creating Detailed Documentation:
- Clear Description: Clearly outline the patient’s reason for the visit, including their symptoms and signs.
- Medical History Summary: Provide a concise summary of the patient’s relevant medical background.
- Physical Exam Details: Describe your observations during the physical examination, including vital signs, anatomical findings, and any abnormalities noted.
- Diagnosis and Assessment: Clearly state your clinical judgment regarding the patient’s condition.
- Treatment Plan: Outline the planned treatment course, including prescribed medications, procedures, and recommended follow-up care.
- Procedure Details: Document any specific procedures performed, using the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.
Through proper documentation, healthcare providers can ensure that all services provided to Medicare beneficiaries are supported by comprehensive records in the patient’s medical file, helping them avoid the pitfalls caused by improper documentation.
4) Upcoding or Unbundling:
Upcoding is a practice wherein a healthcare provider assigns a billing code that indicates a higher level of service than what was actually provided to the patient.
For example, a patient visits a healthcare provider for a routine check-up, during which the provider spends minimal time conducting a basic examination and discussing general health concerns. However, the provider submits a billing code for a comprehensive medical evaluation, suggesting a more thorough assessment and treatment plan than what actually occurred. This results in higher reimbursement from Medicare, despite the services rendered not aligning with the billed level of care.
On the other hand, unbundling involves billing separate services individually that should be billed together as a single bundled service.
For instance, during a surgical procedure, a patient undergoes knee arthroscopy to repair a torn meniscus. This procedure typically includes pre-operative evaluation, the surgery itself, post-operative care, and follow-up visits as part of the comprehensive treatment plan. However, the healthcare provider bills each of these services separately, inflating the bill by charging for each component individually. This practice of unbundling allows the provider to maximize reimbursement from Medicare by billing for each aspect of the procedure separately, rather than as a bundled package as per standard practice.
These two practices are also very common Medicare billing pitfalls that can significantly impact providers and their practices. The most common consequences of these practices include legal fines, audits by Medicare, and potential legal repercussions. Such outcomes can harm the provider’s reputation and may also strain their relationships with other healthcare payers.
How to Avoid Pitfalls of Upcoding and Unbundling
To avoid the pitfalls created by upcoding and unbundling, providers must ensure that these practices do not occur during claim submission to Medicare or other payers. To achieve this, they can implement the following measures:
- Conduct Regular Audits: Perform routine audits of billing practices to detect any instances of upcoding or unbundling. This helps identify and address any discrepancies before claims are submitted.
- Provide Ongoing Training: Offer continuous training to billing and coding staff to ensure they are knowledgeable about proper coding practices and guidelines. This includes educating them on accurately documenting services and assigning appropriate billing codes.
- Implement Internal Controls: Establish internal controls and processes to review billing codes before submission. This can involve peer review mechanisms or utilizing technology to flag potential coding errors.
- Stay Updated: Stay informed about changes and updates to Medicare billing regulations and guidelines. Keeping abreast of these changes ensures that billing practices remain compliant with current standards.
- Utilize Technology Solutions: Invest in billing software and electronic health record (EHR) systems equipped with features to detect upcoding and unbundling. These tools can help identify discrepancies and promote accurate billing practices.
By implementing these strategies, providers can mitigate the risk of upcoding and unbundling, thereby ensuring compliance with billing regulations and maintaining the integrity of their billing processes.
5) Late Claim Submissions
Timing is crucial, a universal truth applicable from sports to business, and in Medicare billing, the timing of claim submission holds significant importance. Missing deadlines for submitting claims to Medicare or other payers can lead to delayed or denied payments, both scenarios being unfavorable for healthcare providers. Like every insurance company, Medicare also imposes its own timely filing limit, typically ranging from 90 days to one year from the date of service. Failing to submit claims within these deadlines can result in bad debts or denied claims.
How to Avoid Pitfalls of Late Claim Submissions
To avoid the pitfall of missing claim submission deadlines in Medicare billing, healthcare providers can implement the following strategies:
- Establish Clear Processes: Develop standardized procedures for claim submission within the organization. Ensure that all staff members are aware of the deadlines and protocols for submitting claims to Medicare or other payers.
- Utilize Technology: Invest in billing software or electronic health record (EHR) systems that have built-in features to track claim submission deadlines. These systems can send reminders and alerts to ensure timely submission of claims.
- Monitor Claim Status: Regularly monitor the status of submitted claims to identify any rejections or denials promptly. By fixing the issue, you can resubmit the claim on time without missing the deadline.
- Train Staff: Provide in-depth training to billing and administrative staff on Medicare billing guidelines and deadlines. Ensure they understand the importance of submitting claims on time and the potential consequences of missing deadlines.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can minimize the risk of missing claim submission deadlines and ensure timely reimbursement for services provided.
Conclusion
Mastering Medicare billing is essential for healthcare providers to ensure the continuity of patient care and maintain a healthy revenue cycle.
By prioritizing accurate patient information, implementing standardized documentation processes, staying updated on coding guidelines, and leveraging technology solutions, providers can streamline their billing practices and mitigate the risk of claim denials, delayed payments, and legal repercussions.
Ultimately, by adopting proactive measures and adhering to best practices in Medical billing, healthcare providers can optimize their revenue cycle management, enhance operational efficiency, and uphold the highest standards of compliance and patient care.